Decoding TV

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss everything that’s happening in the world of TV. Then, they dig into episode 8 of The Penguin and Act I of Arcane Season 2.

Is the making of Game of Thrones really like a marriage? Did The Penguin stick the landing with its brutal finale? How wildly successful is Euphoria season 3 going to be? Is Jason Sudeikis delusional about Ted Lasso season 3? Is Arcane still one of the best shows on TV? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more.

Homework for next week:

• Dune: Prophecy season premiere (Max)
• Arcane Season 2 Act II (Netflix)
• Bonus Ep: Disclaimer (Prime Video)

Shownotes:

• 19:00 - 70 million people on Netflix’s ad tier
• 23:35 - HBO/Max News
• ‘The Penguin’ Finale Scores Series High 2.1 Million Viewers
• HBO Boss on ‘House of the Dragon’ Criticism
• ‘Euphoria’ Season 3 Moving Forward With Production This January With 8-Episode Season
• 34:00 - Jason Sudeikis Rails Against ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 3 Haters: ‘They Don’t Have Imaginations’
• 41:30 - The Penguin
• Ep 8 - A Great or Little Thing
• 01:13:15 - Arcane Season 2 Act I

Links:

• Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
• Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
• Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
• Follow this podcast on Instagram
• Follow this podcast on Tiktok
• Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
• Follow David on Instagram
• Follow David on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrick and David are traveling this week so today we have an abridged bonus episode about The Penguin, delivered to you earlier than usual.

Tonight’s episode of The Penguin had some pretty explosive material! We get a flashback to Oz’s childhood, but what did it do to illustrate who he ends up becoming? What do we think of where Sofia’s arc is taking her? And what is Tim Burton doing in this version of the Batman universe? Listen to hear us discuss all this and more!

Homework for (the week after) next week:

• The Penguin Episode 8 (Max)
• Arcane season 2 premiere (Netflix)
• Interior Chinatown season premiere (Hulu)

Links:

• Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
• Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
• Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
• Follow this podcast on Instagram
• Follow this podcast on Tiktok
• Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
• Follow David on Instagram
• Follow David on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek chat about the latest TV news. Then they dive into episode 6 of The Penguin and the season finale of Agatha All Along.

Does a new Seinfeld blu-ray release have us reaching for our wallets? Will Jon Stewart’s extended hosting deal at The Daily Show keep us tuned in? Is the new Marvel TV trailer enough to keep us on board for 2025? Does this week’s episode of The Penguin have us emotionally invested in Oz? Can Agatha All Along stick the landing with its season finale? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next week:

• The Penguin Episode 7 (Max)

Shownotes:

• 02:40 - Seinfeld to debut on blu-ray and 4K
• 12:02 - Comcast may spin off Cable networks
• 14:08 - Jon Stewart Extends Deal to Host ‘Daily Show’ Through December 2025
• 19:44 - Netflix Adds ‘Moments’ Feature
• 23:58 - Marvel’s look ahead
• 38:56 - The Penguin
• Ep 6 - Gold Summit
• 01:01:42 - Agatha All Along
• Episode 8 - Follow Me My Friend / To Glory at the End
• Episode 9 - Maiden Mother Crone

Links:

• Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
• Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
• Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
• Follow this podcast on Instagram
• Follow this podcast on Tiktok
• Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
• Follow David on Instagram
• Follow David on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Decoding TV bonus episode, Jessie Earl joins Patrick and David to discuss and spoil the second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Did we think the second season was better or worse than the first? How would we rank the disparate plotlines? Did we buy the relationship between Celebrimbor and Sauron? What did we think of the appearance of characters like Tom Bombadil? What are we looking forward to in season 3? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!

Links:

• Subscribe to Jessie Earl’s YouTube show
• Check out Jessie’s movie, Identiteaze
• Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
• Email us at Decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)com
• Follow us on Tiktok at tiktok.com/@decodingreality
• Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss the newly released trailers for Severance and Interior Chinatown and explore the latest news and announcements. Then, they dig into episode 5 of The Penguin and episode 7 of Agatha All Along.

Homework for next week:

• The Penguin Episode 6 (Max)
• Agatha All Along Episode 8 (Disney+)
• The Rings of Power Season 2 (Prime Video)

Shownotes:

• 05:09 - Escape from Dannemora is now on Netflix
• 07:41 - New Trailers
• Severance Season 2 (January 17, 2025)
• Interior Chinatown (November 19, 2024)
• 14:27 - Renewals/Upcoming Shows
• Shogun Co-Creator Justin Marks Inks New Overall Deal at FX
• Carrie TV Series From Mike Flanagan in the Works at Amazon
• Beef Season 2 Officially a Go at Netflix
• 28:37 - John Turturro on Turning Down The Penguin
• 36:40 - The Penguin
• Ep 5 - Homecoming
• 1:03:50 - Agatha All Along
• Ep 7 - Death’s Hand In Mine

Links:

• Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
• Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
• Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
• Follow this podcast on Instagram
• Follow this podcast on Tiktok
• Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
• Follow David on Instagram
• Follow David on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss the series premiere of Disclaimer and run down what’s going on in the world of TV. Then, they dig in to episode 4 of The Penguin and episode 6 of Agatha All Along. 

This week we saw two shows that had flashback episodes depicting the backstory of a seemingly secondary character. Which one did we find most effective? Did Alfonso Cuarón’s Disclaimer hook us or leave us cold? Are we excited for John Mulaney to return to the world of late night TV? And which recent renewals are we most excited by? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next week:

• The Penguin Episode 5 (Max)
• Agatha All Along Episode 7 (Disney+)

Shownotes:

• 01:30 - Initial thoughts on Disclaimer on Apple TV+
• 12:45 - Amazon Prime Video is adding Apple TV+ as a channel
• 14:45 - Netflix orders new John Mulaney live weekly talk show in 2025
• 20:04 - Renewals and Cancellations
• Slow Horses Renewed for Season 6 at AppleTV+
• Apple TV+ Releases Silo Season 2 Trailer
• Invincible Season 3 will premiere on February 6 with no midseason break
• Culinary Class Wars renewed for second season at Netflix
• The Diplomat renewed for season 3
• You will grow old waiting for your favorite TV show
• 34:30 - The Penguin 
• Ep 4 - Cent’Anni
• 01:17:00 - Agatha All Along 
• Ep 6 - Familiar By Thy Side

Links:

• Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
• Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
• Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
• Follow this podcast on Instagram
• Follow this podcast on Tiktok
• Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
• Follow David on Instagram
• Follow David on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Decoding TV bonus episode, @joyofnapping returns to discuss and spoil the fourth season of Slow Horses, which just aired its season finale.

What did we think were the best and worst elements of this season? What storylines were invented for the show and how did they play out? How was Hugo Weaving as the main villain? What plot threads are we looking forward to being developed next season? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!

Links:

• Follow Joy on Threads
• Email us at Decodingtv(AT)gmail(DOT)com
• Follow us on Tiktok at tiktok.com/@decodingreality
• Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss the series premiere of The Franchise, chat about some TV renewals and cancellations, and assess the role of toxic fandom in our culture. Then they dig in to episode 3 of The Penguin and episode 5 of Agatha All Along.

Can The Franchise rise above the inside jokes of Hollywood to become a hit? What do a series of high profile renewals and cancellations say about the state of the television industry? Can The Penguin continue strong world building while ignoring the existence of Batman? Does Agatha All Along deliver on its big twist? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next week:

• The Penguin Episode 4 (Max)
• Agatha All Along Episode 6 (Disney+)
• Bonus Ep: Slow Horses Season 4 (Apple TV+)

Shownotes:

• 02:13 - The Franchise
• Ep 1 - Scene 31A: Tecto Meets Eye
• 14:04 - Renewals and Cancellations
• Kaos Cancelled
• The Night Agent Renewed for Season 3
• Reacher Renewed for Season 4
• 23:21 - How Hollywood is Battling Toxic Fans
• Jodie Turner-Smith says Disney Can’t Stay Silent
• 42:02 - The Penguin 
• Ep 3 - Bliss
• 01:12:27 - Agatha All Along 
• Ep 5 - Darkest Hour / Wake Thy Power

Links:

• Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
• Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
• Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
• Follow this podcast on Instagram
• Follow this podcast on Tiktok
• Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
• Follow David on Instagram
• Follow David on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek explore the early ratings for The Penguin, brace themselves for a new season of Sugar, discuss a surprising choice of director for Stranger Things 5, and dig into the new trailer for The Last of Us Season 2. Then, they discuss episode 2 of The Penguin and episode 4 of Agatha All Along.

Will The Penguin be able to take flight in the ratings for the rest of the first season? How do we feel about the confounding news of a second season of Sugar? Does Frank Darabont’s return to the industry signal a strong return for Stranger Things? How different will The Last of Us season 2 be from its video game counterpart? Does The Penguin keep up the momentum in episode 2? Are we still enjoying the witchy formula of Agatha All Along in episode 4? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next week:

• The Penguin Episode 3 (Max)
• Agatha All Along Episode 5 (Disney+)
• The Franchise Episode 1 (Max)

Shownotes:

• 12:13 - Strong Ratings for The Penguin
• 16:20 - Sugar Renewed for Season 2
• 21:18 - Frank Darabont Ends Retirement for Stranger Things
• 25:53 - The Last of Us Season 2 Trailer
• 36:20 - The Penguin 
• Ep 2 - Inside Man
• 01:04:28 - Agatha All Along 
• Ep 4 - If I Can’t Reach You, Let My Song Teach You

Links:

• Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
• Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
• Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
• Follow this podcast on Instagram
• Follow this podcast on Tiktok
• Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
• Follow David on Instagram
• Follow David on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Decoding TV, David Chen and Patrick Klepek discuss the Industry renewal news, Paramount layoffs, and the new Disney+ and Hulu price hikes. Then, they dive into the season premiere of The Penguin and episode 3 of Agatha All Along.

What do we think of Industry and are we excited for another season? How will Paramount’s phase 2 layoffs affect their output? Will new pricing for Disney+ and Hulu wreak havoc on their subscriber base? What do we make of the return to Gotham with The Penguin? Is Colin Farrell able to stand out as Oswald Cobb under heavy makeup and prosthetics? Is Agatha All Along stringing us along? Listen to hear us discuss all these questions and more!

Homework for next week:

• The Penguin Episode 2 (Max)
• Agatha All Along Episode 4 (Disney+)

Shownotes:

• 02:13 - Industry Renewed for Season 4 + Season 1 Discussion
• 13:27 - Paramount’s Phase 2 of Layoffs
• 19:21 - New Disney+/Hulu Price Hikes/Password Crackdown Coming
• 30:38 - The Penguin 
• Ep 1 - After Hours
• 01:13:39 - Agatha All Along 
• Ep 3 - Through Many Miles / Of Tricks and Trials

Links:

• Listen to Patrick’s videogame podcast, Remap Radio
• Subscribe to Patrick’s newsletter, Crossplay
• Subscribe to this podcast on YouTube
• Follow this podcast on Instagram
• Follow this podcast on Tiktok
• Subscribe to David’s free newsletter, Decoding Everything
• Follow David on Instagram
• Follow David on Tiktok

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.